News | Ministry of Transport

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

MOTC Signs Memo of Cooperation with LCI-Qatar

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications today signed a memo of cooperation with the Lean Construction Institute – Qatar (LCI-Qatar) to enhance cooperation in such a way that serves the engineering and construction industry in Qatar.The two parties aim to promote and deploy the best modern and effective methods with respect to designing and constructing the engineering projects. The goal is to increase efficiency, raise productive quality and eliminate waste.Attended by HE the Minister Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, the memo was signed by Director of Technical Affairs Department, MOTC, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalid Al-Thani, and LCI-Qatar President Dr. Abdulla Yaqoub Al-Sayed.As per the memo, the two parties will work together to raise awareness and knowledge about best global project designing and construction practices. They will also jointly organize local and international events that can serve their relevant objectives in terms of best construction and designing applications and techniques.Under the memo, training opportunities in relevant domains will be made available for personnel working in fields of architectural design, building and construction, and infrastructure. The two sides will also conduct and support joint scientific researches for the best interest of all bodies concerned with enhancing and raising awareness of Lean Construction and Lean Thinking.“MOTC continues to call for more cooperation and integration with research bodies in order to harmonize their output with the transportation sector’s needs to raise the sector’s competitiveness in conducting the necessary studies, in addition to developing the skills of technical personnel,” said Sheikh Mohamed Al-Thani.He added that today’s memo will open the door for conducting multiple studies and strategies that can contribute to developing and improving the projects, affirming that MOTC is highly interested in enhancing cooperation with scientific, technical and research organizations on all matters relating to land transportation and mobility.Dr. Al-Sayed said that the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Lean Construction Institute – Qatar (LCI-Qatar) enter in a strategic partnership to promote Lean Thinking in Qatar. LCI-Qatar, he added, is organizing educational programs, trainings, conferences, workshops research, and various other events. Additionally, he said, LCI-Qatar is pleased to continue offering free membership for all interested staff of MOTC.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

MOTC, Alfardan Automotive Sign MoU for Free EV Charging Units

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications today signed an MoU with Alfardan Automotive, the premium automotive division under Alfardan Group, for providing free electric vehicle (EV) charging units.Attended by HE the Minister Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, the MoU was signed by Director of Technical Affairs Department, MOTC, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalid Al-Thani, and President & CEO of Alfardan Group Mr. Omar Hussain Alfardan.As per the MoU, Alfardan Automotive is to provide electric vehicle charging units for free and perform required periodic maintenance for them. The charging units meet the specifications of electric chargers issued and approved in Qatar and will be installed at locations to be specified by MOTC.“This MoU comes in the context of putting into effect the Electric Vehicle Strategy developed by MOTC and KAHRAMAA in collaboration with the bodies concerned as the country continues reinforcing the participation of the private sector in government projects and encouraging its partaking in mobility and transportation projects in such a way that helps enrich private sector companies’ investment ideology, thus bolstering the localization of expertise and the technology in use,” said MOTC’s Sheikh Mohamed Al-Thani.“The signing of this agreement contributes to the establishment of an infrastructure of charging stations across the country, which supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030 in becoming more sustainable. The availability of this infrastructure will encourage an increase in the number of electric and hybrid vehicles, which aligns with the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ strategy to create a positive impact on the environment to benefit future generations to come,” said Mr. Alfardan. The electric vehicle strategy backs the country’s agenda for a greener future and contributes to striking an economic-environmental balance in a way that ensures transportation sector’s infrastructure projects sustainability, supporting economic growth and making the most out of the natural resources by increasing the revenues of oil and gas sectors and developing the means of transportation though deploying clean and alternative energy in accordance with latest universal eco-friendly systems to reduce carbon emissions and, therefore, create a clean, healthy and safe environment for generations to come.That strategy is a part of the overall MOTC strategy for providing an integrated, world-class, multimodal transportation system that offers safe, reliable and eco-friendly services in line with the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 for social, economic and environmental development. By 2022, 25% of the public transit bus fleet in Qatar will have become electric. Public buses, government school buses and Doha Metro feeder buses will gradually shift to electrification, thus hitting the rollout percentage that is required to reduce harmful carbon emissions from buses by 2030, in addition to honoring the concerted efforts that aim to maintain environmental sustainability.The electrified buses are planned to be used during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, making it a second-to-none championship where electric mass transit buses are deployed; a move that clearly demonstrates Qatar’s commitment to deploying universal clean energy solutions on transportation and supporting the determination to host an exceptional, ecofriendly, carbon-neutral event.

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Qatar Participates in 23rd GCC e-Government Executive Committee Meeting

Doha – QatarThe State of Qatar today participated in the 23rd Gulf Cooperation Council e-Government Executive Committee meeting that was held via videoconferencing. The Qatari delegation to the meeting was headed by the Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Government Information Technology Ms. Mashael Ali Al-Hammadi. The delegation also included representatives from MOTC and the National Cybersecurity Agency.The meeting discussed the report submitted by the General Secretariat on what has been accomplished with respect the decisions taken during the previous meeting and work progress with respect to GCC e-government initiatives, including the joint initiatives in light of the guiding strategy for the GCC states.The meeting also discussed developing the Portal of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and a number of initiatives concerning the provision of shared e-services via multiple channels, enriching the online Arabic content and raising awareness of e-services.Moreover, the meeting discussed several topics relating to work and meetings of task forces concerned with shared e-services, public key infrastructures (PKI) and computer emergency response.

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Qatar Participates in 2nd OIC Summit on Science and Technology

Doha – QatarThe State of Qatar has participated in the 2nd Islamic Summit on Science and Technology of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was held today via videoconferencing under the theme: “Science, Technology and Innovation: Opening New Horizons.”The virtual Summit was attended by Their Highnesses and Excellencies heads of delegates of the OIC Member States. Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti has headed the State of Qatar’s delegation to the event.Chaired by the United Arab Emirates, the Summit reviewed the implementation of the OIC Science, Technology and Innovation Agenda 2026. It also reaffirmed the OIC’s commitment to deploying all measures that are necessary to generate and energize an environment conducive to achieving progress in science, technology and innovation among OIC Member States. The Summit also affirmed adopting the best ideas, solutions, plans, policies and innovations that could help OIC Member States to overcome the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as a developmental approach that is in everyone’s best interest.As heads of delegates deliver speeches, HE Minister Al-Sulaiti expressed thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the first OIC Summit on Science and Technology and its efforts over the past years. He also expressed thanks to the UAE for hosting this year’s summit.Minister Al-Sulaiti said that the exceptional circumstances resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic require more cooperation to emerge with the best ideas, solutions, plans, policies and innovations that could help OIC Member States to overcome the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic, and require also following a developmental approach that is in everyone’s best interest, in addition to taking all measures that are necessary to generate and energize an environment conducive to achieving progress in science, technology and innovation among OIC Member States.He said that Qatar spared no effort to reinforce a rapid response to the pandemic and provided medical aid to several countries, in addition to financial contributions to multilateral healthcare agencies that work on developing vaccines to ensure an efficient healthcare, particularly in the least developed countries. Qatar also made contributions to several countries to back issues related to poverty eradication, environment, education for all and climate change.Based on that principle, he added, Qatar backs all the initiatives that promote joint action of the OIC to overcome the pandemic, in addition to backing all the aspects that enhance science, technology and innovation, thus boosting the social and economic development in the Member States and cementing solidarity and Islamic cooperation in all fields.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Minister Meets with Iranian Counterpart

Doha – QatarMinister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti met with the Minister of Information and Communications Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Mr. Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, at Ministry offices today.The two ministers reviewed bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the fields of communications and information technology and ways of further enhancing them.The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Doha HE Mr. Hamid Reza Dehghani.

Saturday, June 5, 2021

MOTC Conducts Several High-level Meetings at the 2021 Edition of SPIEF

Doha – Qatar The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) of the State of Qatar participated in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) as part of the State of Qatar participation as a guest country at the Forum. Entities such The Smart Qatar Program (TASMU), the Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail), Qatar Navigation (Milaha), Mwani Qatar, the Qatar Aeronautical Academy and Hamad International Airport participated under the umbrella of the Ministry where they exchanged expertise between Russia and Qatar. The Ministry and its entities hosted several high-level meetings with their Russian counterparts to explore opportunities of bilateral collaboration within the framework of developing economic relation ties and partnership with the Russian Federation, in addition to highlighting the investment opportunities that the country provides in the fields of transportation and information and communication technology, something which can contribute to attracting more foreign direct investments and boosting the State of Qatar’s competitive standing in the region and outside of it. Commenting on the Ministry’s participation, His Excellency Mr. Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, the Minister of Transport and Communications said, “The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was an immense success as the first global event of this scale to be held in the post-pandemic world. Under the leadership of His Highness, the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has made enormous progress in the field of digital transformation and digital services using innovative initiatives and programs such as the Smart Qatar Program (TASMU) with the Ministry of Transport and Communications for building a diversified national economy and keeping pace with the latest digital skills toward building a smart Qatar, and, in addition to that, the country has taken notable steps in improving its global connection with world-class sea, land and air facilities.” His Excellency the Minister added, “During the Forum, we held a number of high-level meetings with leading Russian entities to enhance the means of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in addition to shedding light on the investment opportunities that the country provides in the fields of transportation and information and communication technology.” The TASMU Program showcased the efforts exerted by the State of Qatar on the path of transforming into a smart country, in addition to pitching a number of investment opportunities to global companies and delegations to contribute to these efforts. This high-profile event year is one of the largest in the world concerned with the sectors of investment and economy. It is organized by the Roscongress Foundation of Russia. It will witness the participation of a number of their excellencies Heads of States, senior political and economic officials, in addition to representatives of leading Russian and international companies and multiple business leaders from around the world.